Tasting the Greatest Wines in All of Illinois on a Rainy Day in Oak Park

Neither the weather nor a lineup of all in-state wines could deter a truly dedicated group of aficionados on Saturday.

By Jessica Nikolich

Published June 3, 2013

Photo: Peter Ranvestel

Monsoon-like downpours and lightning couldn’t drive away a resilient bunch of wine enthusiasts at Saturday’s second annual Chicago-sponsored Uncork Illinois wine festival in downtown Oak Park. Many found a dry haven beneath vendor tents, and others continued to stroll the premises toting umbrellas. Then there were the undaunted sippers who accepted their soggy fate—wetting their whistles and their clothes.

Fifteen area wineries (southern Illinois’ Alto Vineyards, the Glunz family vintners from Grayslake, and Fairmount’s Sleepy Creek among the bunch) hauled in over 150 wines, and locally made artisanal foods were in abundance for a day’s fill of sampling.